MINNEAPOLIS — For someone who has relished becoming the NBA’s elder statesman, Kobe Bryant still seeks to expand his game.

So much that Bryant has asked former Lakers forward James Worthy to attend practices to show him more post moves to improve his positioning, using footwork and playing off angles.

“I enjoy learning man,” Bryant said following the Lakers’ 100-94 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. “It’s fun to constantly try to figure out new things and figure out things to do better. I’m very blessed to be with an organization where you have some of the greats of all time sitting right there. At any given moment, you can call them at and they’ll come to practice and work with you.”

Bryant surpassed Michael Jordan for third place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list on Sunday partly because he already crafted a fadeaway jumper and footwork, two skills Bryant attributes both to Jordan and former Houston Rockets center Hakeem Olajuwon.

Lakers coach Byron Scott and Bryant both attribute that skill toward his willingness to perform repetitive drills throughout the year.

“He’s perfected it just a lot like MJ did in his later years of playing in this league,” Scott said. “It’s really helped him to get that little bit of space that he needs to create that space that he needs to get a shot up over guys.”

Calm and collected

Bryant’s recent practice tirade aside, Scott said the Lakers’ star has remained patient amid the team’s struggles. So much that Scott reported Bryant constantly texts him late at night to calm him down.

“Even though we’ve struggled so far this year, in the back of his mind, he still wants to win a championship,” Scott said.

Bryant’s contract ends after the 2015-16 season and is not expected to stay longer. Scott also defended Bryant’s two-year, $48.5 million extension that left the team with enough cap space this offseason only to sign one player at a max contract instead of two.

“I didn’t think it was the money,” Scott said. “He could retire and would be fine. I think it was the loyalty the Lakers have toward him and him toward the Lakers.”

Taking heat

It seemed likely Bryant would break Jordan’s record on Friday against San Antonio. But he finished with 22 points on 7-of-22 shooting, nine assists and four steals, while taking over point guard duties. Bryant also committed five turnovers, including three late in the fourth quarter, and played 40 minutes in a game Scott conceded he looked “exhausted.”

“I guess it was my fault,” Scott joked about Bryant’s delayed milestone. “But I just knew at that time his presence when he is on the floor is still going to be effective.”

He said it

Scott on Nick Young, the Lakers’ charismatic forward: “Heavenly Father broke the mold when he made him.”

Mark Medina has been the Lakers beat writer for the Los Angeles Daily News since 2012. He also works as a Lakers insider for AM570 and is heard on national radio outlets, including The Dan Patrick Show, The Herd with Colin Cowherd, The Chris Mannix Show, Fox Sports Radio, CBS Sports Radio, Yahoo! Sports Radio and SB Nation Radio. Medina also appears frequently on Spectrum SportsNet and NBC4's "Going Roggin."

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